Doing a 12 Hour Road-Trip Tomorrow; Any Advice?

"Tim (Fractal Footwork)" (fractalfootwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:27 • Filed to: Road Trip

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Traveling from Chicago to North Dakota tomorrow, hopefully making it in time for dinner somewhere. Any advice, musics, podcasts, apps, tips, tricks, or other general knowledge I should be educated on?

Going in my !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , and leaving at 6 AM. It’s my first solo road trip and I couldn’t be more excited, even if it is basically entirely made up of Interstate miles.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:33

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The smoking tire and Steve lehto podcasts are really good. They work wonders and add a car flavor.

bob and john > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:36

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if you need a break, TAKE IT. seriously, being tired + cars (or machines really) dont mix at all

Master Cylinder > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:37

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I love long solo trips. 12 hours is a pretty long time to be in the driver’s seat, but it’s doable. Pay attention to what your body is telling you, if you start to feel drowsy, there’s no shame in pulling over for a power nap. You’ll be refreshed and ready to get back at it after 20-30 minutes of shuteye. Drowsy driving is basically as bad as drunk driving, so don’t take unnecessary risks just to make slightly better time.

My citroen won't start > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:38

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Make a stop to rest if you feel you need it, Drew Magary’s Podcast is interesting, Cleancast too. Coffee is always good but it makes you want to poop so keep that in mind. Classic Rock/Lo-Fi will always keep you awake with giving you a headache.

DrScientist > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:40

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your writing style and coherence belies a person who has yet to take a long distance solo road trip.

get off the interstate. of course in north dakota, the country roads are just as straight as the interstates, but you’ll feel closer to the 11 or 12 people who may live along your route.

godspeed, young man.

JGrabowMSt > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 20:41

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Pee first and make a pit stop every 3 hours. You might think “Im good for a few more miles,” but honestly, you need the rest, especially if you’re doing a long drive like this for the first time.

Also, bring snacks, simple ones, and an easy open/close bottle for fluids. Granola bars, similar foods. Nothing you’ll lose and want to reach down for, and especially nothing you’ll get annoyed about having to clean up later.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 21:01

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rest every 2-3 hours. rest as in stop , get out of car , have a cup of coffee and stretch your legs.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 21:06

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Don’t overdo the caffeine. Having to stop and pee wastes time

Tim (Fractal Footwork) > DrScientist 09/23/2015 at 21:15

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I would, but I have to make time unfortunately

BorkBorkBjork > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 22:16

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Audible usually has a free trial going, and books on tape make road trips easy. I also recommend Waze, for cop spotting.

smobgirl > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 22:31

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Definitely bring snacks. Too lazy to look up your route but I drove to northern ND from Denver once and places to restock were few and far between. I will say that, if you have AT&T, the data/cell reception was phenomenal and I had Pandora the whole way.

whatisthatsound > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/23/2015 at 22:39

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Set the cruise control and don’t stop till you need gas then go ten miles farther because playing the gas game gets the adrenaline pumping. Finally the comedian Bert Kreischer and his russian mob story is hilarious. Google it.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/24/2015 at 00:14

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NPR’s Wait...Wait...Don’t Tell Me podcast.

Hardcore History

MuteMath

The Cinematic Orchestra

Bowtie_Guy > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/24/2015 at 02:16

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Do not get off the interstate in North Dakota... If it’s not a main road it’s dirt once you get past Bismarck & the by-ways offer nothing to see (becuase NoDak) & you go slower... I live here I know!

Bowtie_Guy > Tim (Fractal Footwork) 09/24/2015 at 02:29

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Where in North Dakota are you headed? I work in the Williston area but im from Michigan & I take road trips home quite frequently. It’s 19+ hours straight driving for me & I usually do the whole trip in 23-24 hours.

AS for advice, Im not sure what kind of time crunch you are on but I would stop every 4 hours for atleast half an hour, top of your gas, walk around, grab a bite to eat & then hit the road again. It gives your eyes some time to rest & let’s you stretch out. Try to get gas/food/bathroom all at the same time if you are in a hurry so you’re not wasting a bunch of time